Nagarjuna Akkineni (born August 29, 1959) is an Indian film actor, producer, and television presenter who works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He has also worked in a few Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada films. He has received nine state Nandi Awards, three Filmfare Awards South, and a National Film Award-Special Mention.
Nagarjuna was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Annapurna Akkineni. He is the grandson of Akkineni Venkat Ratnam, a freedom fighter and a member of the Indian National Congress. Nagarjuna studied at the Hyderabad Public School and later received his bachelor's degree in commerce from Loyola College, Chennai.
Nagarjuna made his acting debut in 1986 with the Telugu film Vikram. The film was a commercial success and Nagarjuna's performance was well received by the audience. He then went on to star in a number of successful films such as Captain Nagarjuna, Nirnayam, and Ninne Pelladata. In 1996, he played the lead role in the blockbuster film Annamayya, which was based on the life of the Telugu poet Annamacharya. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Nagarjuna won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nagarjuna appeared in a number of successful films such as Soggadu, Manmadhudu, and Santosham. He also ventured into production and established Annapurna Studios, a film production and distribution company. In 2007, he made his debut as a television presenter with the Telugu version of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
In the 2010s, Nagarjuna continued to act in a number of successful films such as Greeku Veerudu, Manam, and Soggadu. He also made his Hindi film debut in 2018 with the film Brahmotsavam. In 2019, he appeared in the critically acclaimed film Devadas, in which he played a dual role.
Nagarjuna has also been actively involved in philanthropy and has served as a Goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). He has also been involved in various environmental causes and has supported the planting of trees in the state of Telangana.
In addition to his film career, Nagarjuna has also been involved in politics. In 2003, he contested the elections as a member of the Telugu Desam Party but lost. He has also been actively involved in the Telangana Rashtra Samithi party and has supported its policies.
Nagarjuna is married to Amala Akkineni, an actress and philanthropist. The couple have a son, actor Naga Chaitanya, and a daughter-in-law, actress Samantha Akkineni. Nagarjuna is also the stepfather of actor Akhil Akkineni.
In summary, Nagarjuna Akkineni is a highly successful and respected actor in the Telugu film industry, with a career spanning over three decades. He has also made a mark in Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada films. Nagarjuna has received numerous awards for his performances and has also been actively involved in philanthropy and politics. He is a well-known figure in the South Indian film industry and continues to be a prominent actor in Telugu cinema.
In addition to his acting career, Nagarjuna has also been involved in a number of other ventures. He has hosted several seasons of the Telugu version of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and has also hosted the Telugu singing reality show Paduta Teeyaga. He has also been a judge on the Telugu dance reality show Dhee Ultimate Dance Show.
Nagarjuna is also a successful entrepreneur and has invested in a number of businesses. He owns a hotel chain called Annapurna Hotels and Resorts and has also invested in the healthcare industry. In 2018, he launched the health and wellness brand Amrutanjan Health Care.
Nagarjuna is also known for his philanthropic work and has been actively involved in a number of charitable causes. He has served as a Goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and has supported various environmental causes. He has also supported the planting of trees in the state of Telangana and has advocated for the conservation of the endangered Indian vulture.
In addition to his philanthropic work, Nagarjuna has also been involved in politics. In 2003, he contested the elections as a member of the Telugu Desam Party but lost. He has also been actively involved in the Telangana Rashtra Samithi party and has supported its policies.
Nagarjuna is married to Amala Akkineni, an actress and philanthropist. The couple have a son, actor Naga Chaitanya, and a daughter-in-law, actress Samantha Akkineni. Nagarjuna is also the stepfather of actor Akhil Akkineni.
Nagarjuna is a well-respected figure in the South Indian film industry and has a large fan base. He is known for his performances in a wide range of roles and has played characters of various ages and personalities. He continues to be a prominent actor in Telugu cinema and has a number of projects in the works.